With Election of President Obama, Students Focus on Black Leadership to
Celebrate Black History Month at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus
February 25: Panel on ‘Dilemmas of Black Leadership after Obama’
February 26: ‘Obama Day’ with honors for current and past leaders in social justice

Brooklyn, N.Y. – At Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, the Student Government Association and other students groups plan to celebrate Black History Month with events exploring the challenges that face black leaders today and the accomplishments that many have made in the fight for social justice. The events, a panel discussion on Wednesday, February 25, and an “Obama Day” ceremony on Thursday, February 26, are free and open to the public.

A panel discussion on “Dilemmas of Black Leadership After Obama” will include author-journalists Norman Kelley and Playthell Benjamin, New York Daily News columnist Errol Louis, and hip-hop artist Melvin Glover (aka, Grandmaster Mele Mel). The panel is sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists with the Student Government Association and student clubs including the Caribbean Student Movement, the Haitian Student Association, Phi Alpha Iota Chi Social Work Society and Seawanhaka, the student newspaper.
The panel is scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, in room 107 of the Zeckendorf Health Sciences Center.

Obama Day, sponsored by the Student Government Association, will honor Brooklyn state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Laurie A. Cumbo, executive director and founder of the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts. Tributes will be made to give posthumous honors to singer/activist Paul Robeson, composer Fela Kuti and hip-hop music producer James Dewitt Yancey (aka J Dilla). Also being honored is the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus.

The Obama Day ceremony will take place at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26.

The Brooklyn Campus is located near DeKalb Avenue and Flatbush Avenue Extension. For further event information, contact the Brooklyn Campus Office of Student Activities at (718) 488-1216. For media information, contact the Office of Public Relations at (718) 488-1015.

Media Contact: (718) 488-1015

Posted: February 19, 2009